Status: 03/31/2022 10:00 pm
VfL Wolfsburg footballers did it! They beat Arsenal WFC 2-0 (1-0) in the semi-finals of the Champions League on Thursday (first leg: 1-1). FC Barcelona, who beat Real Madrid in front of a world record crowd of 91,553 spectators, are now waiting there.
The women from Lower Saxony celebrated a deserved victory in front of 11,293 fans. Coach Tommy Strut’s team is unbeaten in 15 games in all competitions. For the first time in eight years, VfL girls are back in the arena as demand for tickets increases. Against defending champions Barcelona, the background on April 30 should be even bigger. Prior to that, however, the first leg in Catalonia was scheduled for April 23rd.
“I am incredibly proud that we showed our true color today.”
Tommy Strout, coach of VfL Wolfsburg
The team “was tough for Arsenal every minute,” defender Katherine Hendrich said. Fans “went along and cheered us on – pure goosebumps”.
However, after the win against Arsenal, things continue to be challenging for the women of VfL Wolfsburg over the weekend: there is a summit at home in the Bundesliga on Sunday (2pm, live on Sport Club and NDR.de). FC Bayern Munich.
Jord soon puts Wolfsburg ahead
Fast, technically strong Polish international Eva Bazor makes a surprising return to the VfL squad against Londoners – for the first time since her knee surgery in October. She initially sat on the alternate bench.
From there, she saw a very engaging start from her teammates on the pitch. These put a lot of pressure and the guests immediately shrunk to their own half. And the big effort paid off early: after a corner kick from the right, the Swindes sent the ball into the turmoil for Johnstottir. Jill Ruert of the Netherlands, who switched from opponent to VfL last summer, responded quickly and put the ball over the goal line to make the “Wolves” (9th) 1-0.
Nine minutes later, the Strut team celebrated again. However, very soon. Tabea Waßmuth’s goal in the first leg was not allowed by video evidence.
The Wolfsburg women were clearly decisive in the next course of the first half. However, Jones Stotter (34 ‘) and Svenja Hood (36’) were given better chances as they failed to clear the lead more than 1-0.
Wolfsburg took a 2-0 lead with one goal
Encouraged by their captain Kim Little, Arsenal became very dangerous after playing within an hour. After a mistake by VfL goalkeeper Almut Schultz, Vivian Medima had a good chance to equalize. Her shot fell into the side net (60 ‘). It was like an awareness call for VfL women. Then they made the most of the attack again – it was rewarded: a cross from Jonstead from the left wing promoted Lea Williamson, converting her own goal to 2-0 for Wolfsburg (73rd).
Arsenal now need two goals to reach extra time. The guests immediately scored the first of these. Midema hit the ball head-on into the crossbar, following which Williamson’s header was deflected by a powerful save on the Schultz post (75 ‘).
The hosts were very lucky that Nikita was not penalized with a late save penalty by Schultz against Paris (88th). The scene was even verified by video evidence – surprisingly, the result was the same: no fines! After a while the final whistle sounded. This is the starting signal for the Wolfsburg celebrations.
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